LANSING – In response to an outrageous lawsuit against the state of Michigan filed by two Canadian trash haulers, State Representative John Espinoza (D-Croswell) is calling on Attorney General Mike Cox to investigate damage to Michigan communities and our land, air and water caused by Canadian and out-of-state trash haulers and to file a counter-suit against these two Canadian garbage importers.
"After making millions of dollars by dumping trash in our communities, these Canadian companies have the gall to demand even more money from Michigan taxpayers," said Espinoza, whose district includes the Blue Water Bridge, which carries hundreds of trash trucks from Canada each day. "These greedy corporations couldn't care less about the damage they're doing to our natural resources, our roads and our residents' safety. Their lawsuit is evidence of this."
On Jan. 9, trash trucks from Kranbir Transport Inc. and Ontario Inc. were involved in crashes on I-69. The companies recently filed suit in Ingham County Circuit Court seeking damages of more than $250,000, according to the Times Herald of Port Huron[1]. The lawsuit claims that the trucks slid and flipped over due to an "an unnatural accumulation of ice and snow on the road," and that the state Department of Transportation, the St. Clair County Road Commission, Wales Township and the Village of Emmett did not maintain I-69 "for safe responsible travel."
Espinoza pointed out that it is well documented that the drivers of the Canadian trash trucks – not the state of the highway – caused the Jan. 9 crashes. Both drivers were cited by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department for driving too fast for road conditions. One was also cited for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle and keeping an improper logbook, the Times Herald reported.
"It is outrageous that these Canadian companies haul their trash into our country, break our laws and then try to blame their problems on us," said Espinoza. "It's time to turn the tables and hit these Canadian trash companies in their pocketbooks. Michigan residents have paid enough."
Espinoza and his colleagues in the House passed a tough anti-trash plan earlier this year that raises the waste haulers' dumping charge from the lowest in the region to the highest. A steeper dumping charge will force Canada and other states to dump their trash elsewhere. The House legislation also temporarily bans new landfills and strictly limits the expansion of existing landfills. This plan to end the endless flow of trash from Canada and other states into Michigan is still awaiting action in the state Senate.
Espinoza said he will continue to make stopping the trashing of Michigan a top priority.
"Time and time again, my constituents have asked me not to give up the fight against the flood of Canadian trash," Espinoza said.